Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Pointy-Ears
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Pointy-ears.
Elves.
The image that usually comes to mind is a race of beauties who excel with bows, command spirits, and cherish nature.
However, the elves in this world are a bit different.
They only give birth to females and receive seeds from other races.
The common tale isn't that orcs ravage elves in the shadows.
-Sob sob, I have a family.
-Shut up, you piglet! Hand over your seed already!
Situations like that are what this world is all about.
And this world has multiple nations.
One empire.
Kingdoms led by humans.
And countries founded by other races.
The Labyrinth appeared on imperial soil.
But the entrances to the Labyrinth aren't only on imperial land.
The elves' holy site called the World Tree.
The beastkin holy site with something called dragon veins.
The orcs' holy site called the Giants' Plateau.
The dwarves' holy site called the Eternal Flames.
Such places also have Labyrinth entrances.
A place where time, space, and everywhere are jumbled together.
That's why you can encounter each other in a massive place like this.
Normally, you'd never cross paths here.
But if you set your mind to invade another territory, you can.
That chaos erupted early in the Labyrinth's history.
Back then, they still had pacts with the other races.
There was the existence of the Demon King that threatened their livelihoods the most.
But as time passed.
And the Labyrinth produced countless powerhouses.
Their pacts began to break.
A massive war broke out in response.
Power gained from the Labyrinth.
They accumulated it and started invading each other's territories.
The end was the downfall of all factions.
They barely avoided annihilation and forged new pacts.
And they swore that if later generations tried to break the pacts, they would attack each other.
"...This is why pointy-ears are such a problem."
Ermé let out a deep sigh as she spoke.
That had been Ermé's explanation so far.
But a few things still felt off to me.
"Still, why are they attacking us?"
"...Well, the pact does say no attacks, but this time it's a bit different."
Different?
What did that mean?
"As I mentioned, the elves have this bizarre structure where only females are born, so they need seeds from other races."
"Right."
"So in the pacts, the elves added a clause. When the time comes to receive seeds, elves are allowed to invade other Labyrinths and take them from the men."
"..."
It's awkward to even say it.
But knowing it's a racial trait makes it...
'Way too stupid.'
Isn't the reason a bit too ridiculous?
"Even if fights break out in the process, everyone agreed to overlook it."
"...So killing is fine too?"
"Yes, it doesn't matter."
I never thought I'd be saying stuff like this.
But to survive in this barbaric era, sometimes you have no choice.
"Still, it's best to avoid fights if possible."
"Why?"
"The elves' traits shine brightest in Labyrinths like this. Not only do they have racial advantages making them stronger than regular humans, but they're masters of stealth."
"Most people can't even detect when they're hiding."
"Seems that way."
I nodded at their words.
Because the elf right next to us had approached, and I'd only sensed her presence late.
'But they seem manageable.'
No one on our team had died.
Still, I didn't say it out loud. I couldn't force them to trust my gut feeling.
"For now, let's get out of here fast."
"Shame we couldn't clear this Labyrinth. With them around, it'll be tough."
"The Cradle has plenty to teach us, so retreating like this isn't bad."
Retreat it was.
I nodded obediently.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The moment retreat was decided, Ermé pulled back at incredible speed.
As if our safety was her absolute top priority.
'Spending time with her, I can feel it.'
She was seriously a great party leader.
She kept her word, and when fights broke out, she settled them decisively.
The issues were that her skills had gotten too fierce, and she trusted me way too much for no reason.
'Nobody's perfect.'
But those flaws were huge.
I needed to lay low as much as possible.
'Five goblins ahead.'
And faint presences—two—down the right path.
I quickly informed Ermé.
"Five goblins straight ahead, and what feels like hidden elves on the right path."
"...You can detect hidden elves?"
Ermé looked like she wanted to kill the elves on the way out if possible.
'Well, of course.'
Five goblins were nothing, but if elves ambushed from behind, it'd be dangerous.
"I'll give it a shot."
"Please do."
She used polite speech normally, but always switched to casual in a pinch.
'...Not the point right now.'
Two presences.
I trusted the info from Rogue Mastery (S), but...
'It might not be 100% accurate.'
Kreeeak.
I nocked an arrow, aiming at the presences even as I stayed cautious.
I felt the elves hiding over there panic.
'Even if I don't hit perfectly.'
Running made it hard to focus.
Suddenly, a blue line lit up sharply in my vision.
Innate Combat Sense (B).
And at the same time, a strange certainty that this arrow would strike the enemy's most vital spot.
I loosed the arrow along the vividly glowing blue line.
It curved as if drawn in, slamming into the elf's face.
💥 CRITICAL HIT! 💥 -Splat!
"Nice!"
Ermé cheered as she charged forward, slicing the other elf's throat.
Blood splattered across Ermé's face.
'Her swordplay's brutal.'
Thanks to Innate Combat Sense, I could tell just how ghost-like she was with her blade.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ During a brief rest, Ermé suddenly realized something.
'...These pointy-ears are too weak?'
No, that judgment was off.
It wasn't that the pointy-ear bitches were weak.
'We're just too strong.'
It was weird.
Normally, they wouldn't die this easily. They were the persistent hunters stalking from the shadows that made entire races shudder in hatred.
Ermé thought that as she glanced at Han Yuseong.
The reason they couldn't perform properly.
Any pointy-ears within a certain range were spotted and picked off by Han Yuseong one by one.
'What a shame.'
Maybe due to low stamina, he was slumped on the ground resting.
Everyone had flaws, but his were critically bad.
Maybe because he was so talented.
He hadn't trained his body.
'Even for an assassin, stamina is essential.'
Seeing him tire after a little running made her sigh.
The party's sole mage, the glasses guy Marcel, was just a bit winded.
He handled a bow too, so he needed muscle training.
The dwarf craftsman's bow didn't require much draw strength.
But conversely, it meant it was useless beyond a certain point.
'Still, at that level...'
Way better than the thieves she'd considered recruiting.
Most thieves were back-alley prowlers.
The fact he hadn't picked her party's pockets already put his character in the top 1% of thieves.
"You're amazing."
At Teresa's words, Han Yuseong nodded modestly.
And thought.
'I wondered if pointy-ears were that dangerous.'
Far from dangerous, it was too easy.
And the experience points he'd thought were inside him were rising fast.
'...Are these guys valuable EXP resources?'
And the timing they invaded the Labyrinth for EXP...
'I've finally lost it.'
Maybe being around barbarians was rubbing off.
He knew he should think that way, but he'd started seeing pointy-ears as EXP.
He sighed inwardly and stood.
After resting properly and conserving energy, his stamina had recovered more than expected.
Han Yuseong thought that, then stiffened.
'Five... one stands out as exceptionally strong.'
This opponent wasn't hiding.
She stepped forward boldly, revealing her presence.
"Impressive bunch. Killing ten of our kin."
"...This one's an elite, it seems."
Marcel gripped his staff.
Ermé took point, Teresa positioned behind Han Yuseong and Marcel.
"Hmm..."
The standout strong elf eyed Han Yuseong, her gaze sharpening.
Sweaty, but with refined eyes and a cold expression. Hands down, the best-looking guy here.
'Pretty my type...?'
The glasses guy next to him? Toss him to a subordinate.
"You, I like."
"High standards for a pointy-ear."
Ermé stepped forward at the elf's words.
"Who the hell are you?"
"The party leader?"
"What, you're nobody. Even if you said girlfriend, I wouldn't back off."
"Pissing me off."
"I'm Rishiel. Black-haired guy over there, your name?"
"..."
"What, ignoring me? Fine, you're hot, so I'll let it slide."
"Staring at guys too much makes you look easy."
"Don't worry. This body's name is Rishiel. From the Dark Moon family, one of the three great clans serving the World Tree. Swear on my family name, follow me quietly and you're safe."
"...What about the other party members?"
"Why bother? Don't really wanna save the women."
Han Yuseong raised his sword.
'Wasn't planning to go quietly anyway.'
But at this point, it was a fight.
And, to be honest.
'She doesn't seem like she'll kill me.'
As Han Yuseong raised his sword, tension rippled across their faces.
"If you insist on drinking the poison."
Rishiel drew a long rapier.
"Your woman mouthed off, so she pays. I'll turn her into a pincushion."
"Don't worry, I'll just lop her head off nice and clean."
"...Hmph, got spirit."
As Ermé and Rishiel squared off.
Han Yuseong stepped forward.
"You handle the others."
"...You sure you can take her alone?"
"Yeah."
Han Yuseong thought.
'She wants me as a hostage.'
And we had a hidden card.
Using it, he could gain the edge even against Rishiel.
'This is the play.'
Truth be told, he just wanted to run.
But if Ermé thinned their numbers fast and looped back, this maximized survival odds.
"Fun... Your guts make you even more appealing."
"I'll yield this time."
Ermé grumbled as she charged the other elves.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I beat Rishiel easily in the fight.
The reason was simple.
The moment I tried to Plunder her weapon.
"..."
⚙ PLUNDER SUCCESS ⚙ [Rishiel's Soul.] 'Why'd I steal this?'
Something weird got stolen.